President Barack Obama just plain rude to Britain. "Don't call us in future."

18 posts in this topic

Why couldn't President Obama have put on more of a show for his British guests? He looked like he simply couldn't be bothered.

Gordon Brown and Barack Obama in the Oval Office (Photo: AP)

Number 10 may be content that they just about got away with the visit to the Oval Office yesterday, as Andrew Porter reports from Washington.

But on this side of the Atlantic the whole business looked pretty demeaning. The morning papers and TV last night featured plenty of comment focused on the White House's very odd and, frankly, exceptionally rude treatment of a British PM. Squeezing in a meeting, denying him a full press conference with flags etc. The British press corps, left outside for an hour in the cold, can take it and their privations are of limited concern to the public.

But Obama's merely warmish words (one of our closest allies, said with little sincerity or passion) left a bitter taste with this Atlanticist. Especially after his team had made Number 10 beg for a mini press conference and then not even offered the PM lunch.

We get the point, sunshine: we're just one of many allies and you want fancy new friends. Well, the next time you need something doing, something which impinges on your national security, then try calling the French, or the Japanese, or best of all the Germans. The French will be able to offer you first rate support from their catering corps but beyond that you'll be on your own.

When it comes to men, munitions and commitment you'll soon find out why it pays to at least treat the Brits with some manners.

Share this post

Link to post

Share on other sites

A mistake from an inexperienced president and staff. I am sure they will do better in the future, once they have a couple of years experience working together.

Yep. These are the mistakes I can live with. Saying you're against earmarks and that you will work with Republicans at every campaign stop, then telling America an earmark filled bill has to be passed ASAP and that the big bad Republicans are stopping it from happening? That's what bothers me. What else is he going to go back on?